Utah To Evaluate Isaac Wilson, Brandon Rose With Equal Reps This Week
Oct 29, 2024, 6:59 PM | Updated: Oct 31, 2024, 10:26 am
SALT LAKE CITY – During the Houston game, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham made a change at quarterback to try and find a spark on the offensive side of the ball.
Both quarterbacks got a decent amount of run but limited success against the Cougars.
“We were trying to get a spark, trying to create something,” Whittingham said in the post-game presser. “We’d only scored one touchdown and we didn’t seem to be gaining momentum, so we figured it was time to give Brandon an opportunity.”
Each quarterback was able to get the offense into the end zone one time. Wilson had the better stat line while battling through some ups and downs throughout the game. He finished the game 13-of-22 for 171 yards and one touchdown.
Rose came in and though not as efficient, he kept the chains moving on a couple of posessions. Rose ended up throwing the interception, which allowed Houston to score the game-winning field goal. He ended his night 7-of-15 for 45 yards and the one interception.
Isaac Wilson, Brandon Rose To Get Equal Reps
Now, the two quarterbacks are going to split practice reps during the bye week, while coaches evaluate them.
“We’re going to evaluate this week, the two guys in the running Brandon Rose and Isaac Wilson,” Whittingham shared during his Tuesday media availability. “They’re taking equal reps this week and we’ll see where it goes from there.”
Whittingham stated in his post-game press conference that Wilson hasn’t lost his job but there is a need for improved play.
“I’m not saying Isaac has lost his job, but everybody has to play to a certain standard and the quarterback position is no different, so we’ll take a long look at that,” Whittingham said.
Wilson did take a couple of big hits during the game and even left at one point clearly shaken up. Whittingham noted that he felt injuries have impacted the true freshman but maintained there is still a minimum level of play required.
“He’s been pretty banged up but he’s a tough kid, and if you’re out there, you’ve got to perform,” Whittingham stated matter-of-factly.
Mike Bajakian Should Be Able To Put Bigger Stamp On Offense
Given the change at offensive coordinator last week, it was going to be interesting to see what tweaks could be made. Given the short time to prepare, there weren’t many adjustments. With the bye week, that should give Bajakian a little more time to adjust things.
“Well it gives him a little bit of time to prepare, last week was such a crunch there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to tweak things or put much of his stamp on it, ” Whittingham reitererated. “With the bye week, he’ll have a little more opportunity to do that, which is a positive in that respect.”
More important than anything else, Bajakian and offensive coaches have to rebuild this unit’s confidence level. There needs to be a reinforcement of the fundamentals and foundational principles that have helped Utah in the past, while things have sort of slipped over the last few contests.
What Happened To Cam Rising?
Rising has dealt with injury for much of his college football career. He missed the entirety of last season due to a knee injury.
This season, he injured his throwing hand in the team’s game against the Baylor Bears.
